Tribunal Finds Tech Firm Failed to Make Reasonable Adjustments in ADHD Discrimination Case
An employment tribunal has ruled that Capgemini UK failed to make reasonable adjustments for Bahar Khorram, a former executive with ADHD.
Khorram, a cloud technologist with 25+ years' experience, was hired in June 2023 as a pre-sales lead. She disclosed her ADHD during probation, explaining that it made multitasking and unclear tasks difficult.
She requested support, including ADHD awareness training for her team. Although recommended by occupational health, Capgemini did not implement the training. Khorram also asked her manager to attend an ADHD management course with her - however, he did not respond. After performance concerns and missed deadlines, she was dismissed in February 2024.
The tribunal concluded that Capgemini’s failure to provide the recommended training put Khorram at a disadvantage and constituted a failure to make reasonable adjustments. Judge Tim Adkin said the training could have helped colleagues better support Khorram and lessen the impact of her condition at work.
While the tribunal rejected other parts of her claim, including harassment, it found that Capgemini misunderstood Khorram’s concerns - she was not opposed to the training itself, but to being singled out by having it delivered only to her immediate team.
Neurodiversity training:
This ruling underscores the critical need for comprehensive HR and management training on neurodiversity and disability awareness. By equipping HR professionals and line managers with the knowledge and skills to understand conditions like ADHD, organisations can better identify when reasonable adjustments are necessary and implement them effectively. Investing in such training not only helps create a more inclusive workplace but also reduces the risk of costly discrimination claims, as seen in this case.
Companies investing in neurodiversity training can empower their teams to support neurodivergent employees confidently and sensitively, fostering a culture where all employees can thrive.
Related training:
Making Reasonable Adjustments in the Workplace
Neurodiversity in the Workplace
